~Extension of Sikh Kingdom in Panjab.~--As early as 1806, when he reduced Jhang, Ranjit Singh began his encroachments on the possessions of the Duranis in the Panjab. Next year, and again in 1810 and 1816, Multan was attacked, but the strong fort was not taken till 1818, when the old Nawab, Muzaffar Khan, and five of his sons, fell fighting at the gate. Kashmir was first attacked in 1811 and finally annexed in 1819. Called in by the great Katoch Raja of Kangra, Sansar Chand, in 1809, to help him against the Gurkhas, Ranjit Singh duped both parties, and became master of the famous fort. Many years later he annexed the whole of the Kangra hill states. By 1820 the Maharaja was supreme from the Sutlej to the Indus, though his hold on Hazara was weak. Peshawar became tributary in 1823, but it was kept in subjection with much difficulty. Across the Indus the position of the Sikhs was always precarious, and revenue was only paid when an armed force could be sent to collect it. As late as 1837 the great Sikh leader, Hari Singh Nalwa, fell fighting with the Afghans at Jamrud. The Barakzai, Dost Muhammad, had been the ruler of Kabul since 1826. In 1838, when the English launched their ill-starred expedition to restore Shah Shuja to his throne, Ranjit Singh did not refuse his help in the passage through the Panjab. But he was worn out by toils and excesses, and next year the weary lion of the Panjab died. He had known how to use men. He employed Jat blades and Brahman and Muhammadan brains. Khatris put both at his service. The best of his local governors was Diwan Sawan Mal, who ruled the South-West Panjab with much profit to himself and to the people. After 1820 the three Jammu brothers, Rajas Dhian Singh, Suchet Singh, and Gulab Singh, had great power. ~Successors of Ranjit Singh.~--From 1839 till 1846 an orgy of bloodshed and intrigue went on in Lahore. Kharak Singh, the Maharaja's son, died in 1840, and on the same day occurred the death of his son Nao Nihal Singh, compassed probably by the Jammu Rajas. Sher Singh, and then the child, Dalip Singh, succeeded. In September, 1843, Maharaja Sher Singh, his son Partab Singh, and Raja Dhian Singh were shot by Ajit Singh and Lehna Singh of the great Sindhanwalia house. The death of Dhian Singh was avenged by his son, Hira Singh, who proclaimed Dalip Singh as Maharaja and made himself chief minister. When he in turn was killed Rani Jindan, the mother of Dalip Singh, her brother Jowahir Singh, and her favourite, Lal Singh, took the reins. [Illustration: Fig. 62. Maharaja Kharak Singh.] [Illustration: Fig. 63. Nao Nihal Singh.] [Illustration: Fig. 64. Maharaja Sher Singh. (_From a picture book said to have been prepared for Maharaja Dalip Singh._)]